Nectarine tree named ‘CANDYSWEET X’

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree,  Prunus persica,  broadly characterized by a medium size, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The variety blooms during the mid season and requires about 550 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in late June, with first picking on Jun. 18, 2007. The fruit is uniformly large in size, sub-acidic and sweet in flavor, globose in shape, clingstone in type, firm and melting in texture, yellow in flesh color, and almost full red in skin color.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination: ‘CANDYSWEET X’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, I, the inventor, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine, plum, apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. I also grow a lesser number of open pollinated seeds of each of these fruits, usually to capture recessive traits. The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, which has been denominated varietally as ‘Candysweet X’.

The present variety was hybridized by me in 1996 as a first generation cross using ‘Ruby Diamond’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,918) nectarine as the selected seed parent and ‘Candy White’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,924) nectarine as the selected pollen parent. The fruit of this cross was gathered in the summer of 1996, and the seeds were removed, cracked, stratified, germinated, and grown as seedlings on their own root in my greenhouse. Upon reaching dormancy the group of seedlings was transplanted to a cultivated area of my experimental orchard located near Le Grand, Calif., in Merced County (San Joaquin Valley). During the fruit evaluation season of 2000 I selected the present variety as a single tree from the group of seedlings described above. Subsequent to origination of the present variety of nectarine tree, I asexually reproduced it by budding and grafting in the experimental orchard described above, and such reproduction of plant and fruit characteristics were true to the original plant in all respects. The reproduction of the variety included the use of ‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented) rootstock upon which the present variety was compatible and true to type.

The present variety is similar to its seed parent, ‘Ruby Diamond’ nectarine by producing nectarines that are firm, yellow in flesh color, and nearly full red in skin color, but is quite distinguished therefrom by producing fruit that is clingstone instead of freestone, sub-acidic in flavor instead of acidic, and that matures about two weeks earlier.

The present variety is similar to its pollen parent, ‘Candy White’ nectarine by producing nectarines that are firm, nearly full red in skin color, sub-acidic in flavor, and that mature in late June, but is quite distinguished therefrom by producing fruit that is larger in size, clingstone instead of freestone, and yellow instead of white in flesh color.

The present variety is more similar to ‘Sugarine I’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,585) nectarine by producing fruit that is firm, yellow in flesh color, nearly full red in skin color, and sub-acidic in flavor, but is distinguished therefrom by having reniform instead of globose glands and by producing fruit that is somewhat sweeter, that has a little more freckling on the skin, and that matures about two weeks earlier.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

In summary, the present variety is characterized by a medium size, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The variety blooms during the mid season and requires about 550 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in late June, with first picking on Jun. 18, 2007. The fruit is uniformly large in size, sub-acidic and sweet in flavor, globose in shape, clingstone in type, firm and melting in texture, yellow in flesh color, and almost full red in skin color.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph consists of four whole fruits positioned to display the characteristics of the skin color and form, one sliced fruit to reveal the flesh and stone, three insets to reveal buds and a blossom, characteristic leaves, and a typical tip shoot.

POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics of this new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has been observed under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand, Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif., and was developed at the state of firm ripe on Jun. 26, 2007, on the original tree during its eleventh growing season. The blossom and flower descriptions were made the previous blooming season. All major color code designations are by reference to the Inter-Society Color Council, National Bureau of Standards. Common color names are also used occasionally.

Parentage

-   Seed parent: ‘Ruby Diamond’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,918) nectarine. -   Pollen parent: ‘Candy White’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,924) nectarine.

Tree

-   Size: Medium, reaching and maintaining a height of 9′ [2.74 m.] and     a spread of 10′ [3.05 m.] after eleven growing seasons utilizing     typical dormant pruning. -   Vigor: Vigorous, responding typically to irrigation and     fertilization. The variety grows about 3′ [0.91 m.] of surplus     top-growth during the spring and summer. The plant should be grown     on a standard commercial rootstock for production purposes. -   Growth: Spreading and dense. -   Form: Vase type. -   Hardiness: Hardy with respect to central California winters. -   Heat tolerance: Observed to perform adequately in typical central     California climatic conditions, which typically include extended     periods of heat. -   Drought tolerance: Variety is developed for commercial orchards and     requires regular irrigation. -   Production: Very productive, thinning necessary. -   Fertility: Self-fertile. -   Bearing: Regular bearer with no alternate bearing yet observed. -   Approximate chilling requirement: 550 hours. -   Trunk:     -   -   Size.—Medium, reaching a maximum diameter of 5¼″[133 mm.]             after the eleventh growing season.         -   Texture.—Shaggy.         -   Bark color.—A Grayish brown [61. gy.Br] and Grayish             yellowish brown [80. gy.yBr] variegation with Deep yellowish             brown [75. deep yBr] crevices present.         -   Lenticels.—Approximate Number Per Square Inch: 6. Color:             Moderate orange yellow [71. m.OY]. Average Size: ¼″ [6.4             mm.]. Shape: Eye-shaped, elongated.

Branches:

-   -   -   Size.—Diameter of limb is 2¾″ [70 mm.] measured 12″ above             the crotch, 1¾″ [45 mm.] measured 12″ above the first fork.         -   Texture.—Smooth on first and second year wood, increasing             roughness with age.         -   Color.—1st Year Wood Topside: Grayish red [19. gy.R]. 1st             Year Wood Underside: Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG].             Older Wood: Moderate brown [58. m.Br].         -   Lenticels.—Number Per Square Inch: More than 60 on second             year wood. Color: Deep orange yellow [69. deep OY]. Average             size: 1/32″ [0.8 mm.] on second year wood. Shape:             Rectangular, elongated. Leaves:         -   Size.—Medium. Average Length: 5 15/16″ [151 mm.]. Average             Width: 1⅝″ [41 mm.].         -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Form.—Elliptical.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Acute, with an average base angle of 75 degrees.         -   Surface.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Dorsal Surface: Moderate olive green [125. m.OlG].             Ventral Surface: Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG].         -   Margin.—Finely serrate.         -   Venation.—Pinnately net veined.         -   Vein color.—Light yellow green [119. l.YG].         -   Petiole.—Average Length: ¼″ [6.4 mm.]. Average Thickness:             1/16 [1.6 mm.]. Color: Strong yellow green [117. s.YG].         -   Stipules.—Number: Usually 2 per leaf, up to 6 per growing             tip. Average Length: ¼″ [6.4 mm.]. Color: Strong yellow             green [117. s.YG] becoming Deep reddish brown [41. deep rBr]             with maturity.         -   Glands.—Number: 3 to 4 per leaf. Position: Alternately             positioned on petiole. Size: Medium. Form: Reniform. Color:             Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG] becoming Strong             yellowish brown [74. s.yBr] with age.         -   Leaf buds.—Pointed, medium in size.

-   Flower buds:     -   -   Hardiness.—Hardy, with respect to central California             winters.         -   Diameter.—Typically ⅜″ [9.5 mm.] 1 week before bloom.         -   Length.—Typically ⅝″ [15.9 mm.] 1 week before bloom.         -   Form.—Not appressed.         -   Surface.—Pubescent.         -   Tip color.—Light purplish pink [249. l.pPk].

-   Flowers: Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single pistil,     typically thirty or more stamens, five sepal and petal locations     alternately positioned.     -   -   Type.—Showy, large.         -   Average flower diameter.—2″ [50.8 mm.].         -   Number of petals.—Mostly five, a few with extra petal             fragments, a few double blossoms with ten petals.         -   Petal shape.—Circular to oval.         -   Petal margin.—Entire, wavy, occasional notches.         -   Average petal diameter.— 13/16″ [20.6 mm.].         -   Average petal length.— 13/16″ [20.6 mm.].         -   Petal apex.—Rounded.         -   Petal base.—Rounded to somewhat truncate.         -   Petal color.—Pale pink [7. p.Pk] toward the apex, Dark             purplish pink [251. d.pPk] toward the base on both sides.         -   Anther color.—Moderate purplish red [258. m.pR] over a Light             yellow [86. l.Y] center at bloom onset.         -   Stigma color.—Pale greenish yellow [104. p.gY].         -   Sepal color.—Dark purplish red [259. d.pR] on the outer             surface.         -   Sepal length.—¼″ [6.4 mm.].         -   Sepal width.— 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].         -   Sepal apex.—Rounded to elliptical to match the sepal length             and width.         -   Sepal margin.—Fairly smooth.         -   Average pistil length.— 11/16″ [17.5 mm.].         -   Average stamen length.— 9/16″ [14.3 mm.].         -   Fragrance.—Moderate.         -   Blooming period.—Medium, with ‘Spring Bright’ (U.S. Plant             Pat. No. 7,507) nectarine.         -   Onset of bloom.—One percent on Mar. 2, 2007.         -   Date of full bloom.—Mar. 10, 2007.         -   Duration of bloom.—One to two weeks, dependent on ambient             temperature.         -   Number per cluster.—1 to 3 with single flowers most common.

FRUIT

-   -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe, Jun. 26, 2007.         -   Date of first picking.—Jun. 18, 2007.         -   Date of last picking.—Jun. 28, 2007.         -   Size.—Uniform, medium.         -   Average diameter axially.—2¾″ [69.9 mm.].         -   Average diameter across suture plane.—2⅞″ [73.0 mm.].         -   Average diameter across suture plane.—2⅞″ [73.0 mm.].         -   Typical weight.—8.1 ounces [230 grams].

-   Form: Globose, symmetrical.     -   -   Longitudinal section form.—Round to elliptical.         -   Transverse section through diameter.—Round.

-   Suture: Extends from the base, along the side and terminates just     past the pistil point.     -   -   Near the base.—A shallow groove.         -   Along the side.—An inconspicuous line.         -   Near the apex.—A moderately sharp groove.

-   Ventral Surface: Rounded, lipped toward the apex.

-   Lips: Equal.

-   Cavity: Flaring, elongated in the suture plane, suture showing on     one side, Brilliant orange yellow [67. brill.OY] stem markings     typical.     -   -   Depth.— 7/16″ [11.1 mm.].         -   Breadth.—1½″ [38.1 mm.].

-   Base: Rounded to slightly truncate.

-   Apex: Rounded, but cordate if viewed parallel to the suture.

-   Pistil Point: Oblique, negligible in length, depressed within the     suture.

-   Stem: Medium.     -   -   Average length.—⅜″ [9.5 mm.].         -   Average width.— 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].

-   Skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Surface.—Smooth.         -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.         -   Astringency.—Non-astringent.         -   Tendency to crack.—Slight in wet season.         -   Color.—Very deep red [14. v.deep R] over a Strong red [12.             s.R] background with Dark orange yellow [72. d.OY] freckling             toward the apex.

-   Flesh:     -   -   Color.—Brilliant orange yellow [67. brill.OY] with the             slightest amount of Moderate red [15. m.R] streaking next to             the stone.         -   Surface of pit cavity.—Covered with Deep pink [3. deep Pk]             broken fibers when twisted from the stone.         -   Amygdalin.—Scarce.         -   Juice.—Moderate, rich.         -   Texture.—Firm, crisp.         -   Fibers.—Abundant, fine, tender.         -   Ripens.—Slightly earlier at the apex.         -   Flavor.—Sub-acid and sweet, typically 20 brix.         -   Aroma.—Slight.         -   Eating quality.—Very good.

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone. -   Form: Oval. -   Hilum: Narrow, oblong. -   Base: Straight, rounded. -   Apex: Acute to acuminate, with an average tip angle of 70 degrees     and a tip of length ⅛″ [3.2 mm.]. -   Sides: Equal. -   Surface: Irregularly furrowed near the apex, pitted toward the base. -   Ridges: Jagged. -   External color: Moderate brown [58. m.Br]. -   Pit wall color when cracked: Light brown [57. l.Br]. -   Cavity surface color: Strong brown [55. s.Br]. -   Average pit wall thickness: ¼″ [6.4 mm.]. -   Average width: 1 1/16″ [27.0 mm.]. -   Average length: 1 9/16″ [39.7 mm.]. -   Average breadth: 13/16″ [20.6 mm.]. -   Tendency to split: Slight. -   Kernel:     -   -   Form.—Oval.         -   Skin color.—Brilliant yellow [83. brill.Y] when first             removed.         -   Pellicle color.—Grayish yellowish brown [80. gy.yBr].         -   Vein color.—Grayish yellow [90. gy.Y].         -   Taste.—Sweet.         -   Viable.Yes.         -   Average width.— 9/16″ [14.3 mm.].         -   Average length.—¾″ [19.1 mm.].         -   Amygdalin.—Scant.

USE

-   Market: Fresh market and long distance shipping. -   Keeping quality: Good. Fruit quality observed to remain in good     condition after 21 days in standard cold room at 36° Fahrenheit [2°     Celsius]. -   Shipping quality: Good. -   Resistance to insects: No unusual susceptibilities noted. -   Resistance to diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

Other Notes

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the described characteristics under the ecological conditions at Le Grand, Calif., in the central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to be expected that variations in these characteristics may occur when farmed in areas with different climatic conditions, different soil types, and/or varying cultural practices. 

1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantially as illustrated and described, that is similar to ‘Sugarine I’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,585) nectarine by producing fruit that is firm, yellow in flesh color, nearly full red in skin color, and sub-acidic in flavor, but is distinguished therefrom by having reniform instead of globose glands and by producing fruit that is somewhat sweeter, that has a little more freckling on the skin, and that matures about two weeks earlier. 